Ferringo Baseball
3* Atl -145
2* Az over 9.5
1.5* Col -115
1.5* Det -170
1.5* Det -1.5 RL
1.5* SD -140
1* Az +115
DUNKEL INDEX - CBB NIT
Massachusetts vs. Ohio State
Ohio State brings a 9-4 ATS record in non-conference games into tonight's NIT final, including a perfect 4-0 mark in this year's tournament. The Buckeyes are the pick (-2 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has Ohio State favored by 4 1/2.
Dunkel Pick: Ohio State (-2 1/2).
Here are all of today's games.
THURSDAY, APRIL 3
Time Posted: 4:30 a.m. EST
Game 507-508: Massachusetts vs. Ohio State
Dunkel Ratings: Massachusetts 65.492; Ohio State 69.993
Dunkel Line: Ohio State by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Ohio State by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Ohio State (-2 1/2)
DUNKEL INDEX - MLB
Milwaukee at Chicago Cubs
The Brewers have stolen the first two games in Chicago and face Ryan Dempster, who will be making his first start in nearly three years. Milwaukee is the underdog pick (+115) according to Dunkel, which has the Brewers favored straight up by 1/2 a run.
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (+115).
Here are all of today's games.
THURSDAY, APRIL 3
Time Posted: 6:00 a.m. EST
Game 951-952: Arizona at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Davis) 15.139; Cincinnati (Cueto) 14.627
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+115); Under
Game 953-954: Washington at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Bergmann) 15.286; Philadelphia (Moyer) 14.863
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-170); 10
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+160); Under
Game 955-956: Colorado at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Jimenez) 15.163; St. Louis (Thompson) 15.086
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado (-115); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-115); Under
Game 957-958: Milwaukee at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Bush) 15.286; Chicago Cubs (Dempster) 14.702
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-125); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (+115); N/A
Game 959-960: Houston at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Chacon) 14.433; San Diego (Wolf) 15.082
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: San Diego (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-140); Under
Game 961-962: Pittsburgh at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Duke) 14.527; Atlanta (Hampton) 15.074
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-140); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-140); Over
Game 963-964: Chicago White Sox at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Danks) 14.531; Cleveland (Westbrook) 15.724
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 965-966: Kansas City at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Greinke) 15.276; Detroit (Bonderman) 14.934
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Detroit (-175); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+165); Under
Game 967-968: LA Angels at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Santana) 15.634; Minnesota (Slowey) 14.859
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1; 9
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-120); 10
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-120); Under
Game 969-970: Toronto at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (McGowan) 16.081; NY Yankees (Hughes) 15.463
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-160); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+150); Under
Game 971-972: Tampa Bay at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Sonnanstine) 14.993; Baltimore (Trachsel) 14.779
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-115); 10
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-115); Over
DUNKEL INDEX - NBA
Houston at Portland
Since having their 22-game winning streak snapped, the Rockets have won just three of their last eight games, including an 0-2 start to the current five-game road trip. The Blazers are the underdog pick (+5) according to Dunkel, which has the game even.
Dunkel Pick: Portland (+5).
Here are all of today's games.
THURSDAY, APRIL 3
Time Posted: 5:30 a.m. EST
Game 501-502: Chicago at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 113.980; Cleveland 122.330
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 8 1/2; 196
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 7; 197 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-7); Under
Game 503-504: LA Clippers at Sacramento
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 106.107; Sacramento 119.075
Dunkel Line & Total: Sacramento by 13; 196 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 505-506: Houston at Portland
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 118.653; Portland 118.419
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 184 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 5; 183
Dunkel Pick: Portland (+5); Over
Brandon Lang
20-Dime - UMass
5-Dime - Rockies and Cubs
FREE - Padres and Devil Rays
Jimmy Moore
Ohio State -3
Jack Clayton
Blazers
USA Sports Consulting
St Louis +109
MadduxSports
San Diego -150
THE VEGAS STEAMLINE
Chicago Cubs -120
Mighty Quinn
D Rays
Razor Sharp Sports
Rockets Over
Scott Spreitzer
Yankees
GAMBLERS DATA
PIT/ATL OVER 9.5
Totals4u
Braves Under
Joe Wiz
DRays
Tigers-1.5
Glen Mcgrew
DBacks
Anton wins
Over 9.5 CLE/CWS 2 units
Lance's Lock
Current streak: 7 losses 😮
Brewers +115
GAMBLERS WORLD TIP OF THE DAY
NIT Final: Massachusetts vs. Ohio State
Prediction: Ohio State Buckeyes
Current Line: -2.5 Over/Under: 149 Reason: The UMass Minutemen made sure the NIT final would not be a repeat of last year's national final. UMass upset Florida, while the Ohio State Buckeyes held up their end of the 'repeat' bargain by advancing to Thursday's final at Madison Square Garden. Oddsmakers currently have the Buckeyes listed as 2½-point favorites versus the Minutemen, while the game's total is sitting at 149. Gary Forbes scored 19 points to lead Massachusetts past Florida 78-66 in the semifinals of the NIT on Tuesday night. UMass cashed as 3-point underdogs as the teams played under the 153-point total set by oddsmakers. Evan Turner scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds as Ohio State got past Mississippi 81-69 in the NIT semifinals on Tuesday night. Ohio State covered as 1-point favorites as the teams played over the 141-point total set by sportsbooks. Team records: Massachusetts: 25-10 SU, 17-15 ATS Ohio State: 23-13 SU, 17-14-1 ATS Massachusetts most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 After playing Florida are 1-0 After a win are 8-2 Ohio State most recently: When playing on Thursday are 7-3 After playing Mississippi are 0-1 After a win are 6-4 A few trends to consider: Massachusetts is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games Ohio State is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
INDIAN COWBOY
Rockies/Cardinals Under 9.5 (POD)
Yesterday: 4-1 MLB, 6-3 Overall, 2-0 POD, 6 of 8 POD Winners, 5 of 7 NBA POD Winners, +9.54 Units in the MLB Season (yesterday was the first day of the Card). +22 Units on the 07-08' NBA Season.
For the line to be this high this year it is surprising, sure 11 runs were scored yesterday between these 2 teams but that game was going well under until a blow up inning late. Thompson is a solid pitcher that is pitching at home, that has given up 1 run total in 11 innings against the Brewers and Astros last year to close out the year, while Jiminez was great for the Rockies last year, giving up 5 runs in his last 22 innings and pitched in 4 straight unders and given that these 2 lineups are not potent as the Rockies score far fewer runs on the road and the Cards are not a power house lineup, this spots up for a 4-2 or 3-2 type of ballgame to be had here.
Kansas City Royals +159 (vs. Tigers)
There is no reason why the Royals should be this much of an underdog today. You saw, they are the Royals, they are horrible - are they? This team sits at 2-0. You say their offense is questionable - is it? This team has scored 9 runs. You saw this team's pitching is questionable? Is it? This team has given up 4 runs in the first game and 0 in its second game. The Royals are a scrappy team that plays their guts out. Greinke was once considered an ace on this staff until they went out and made a few trades and he is on a come-back season this year. Sure, the Tigers look to bounce-back after starting 0-2, but folks, this is not basketball, this is baseball and home field only has so much advantage, as I believe the Royals would win this game half the time given this pitching matchup and getting nearly +160 is well worth a shot here on this scrappy Royals team. I think Bonderman pitches well today but still gives up about 3-4 runs in 6 innings and Greinke can either be incredible or bust today, but he went 5 innings and gave up 0 runs last time he faced the Tigers and he closed last year very strong and I will take a shot on him today on his bounce-back season. This is a long season and Greinke and the Royals are well worth the risk here for the reward. This is what the MLB season is all about. May the Dogs bite.
Houston Astros +131 (vs. dbacks)
Is Randy Wolf getting this much respect? Wolf is a 31 year old pitcher, who has given up 29 runs in 33 innings. Folks, that's terrible. I cannot overstate how weak those numbers are. Now, Shawn Chacon is no savior, but he can have his spots. He pitches for the first time after coming from a sound Yankees team and then moving to the Pirates before coming to the Astros who are willing to give him a shot in the rotation. The bottom line in this game is that you have two teams with equitable offenses and the Astros with the better and more consistent pitcher on the mound - yes, Chacon I believe was coming on strong last year and is more consistent than Wolf. The Astros have a decent middle of the lineup with Berkman and Lee who can provide the necessary pop to put up some runs on Wolf here as I see Chacon holding down the fort for this new ballclub today. The Padres do come off a tough loss last night as Hoffman blew a save, but I don't even think Hoffman gets a chance to blow a save today as the Astros surprise some folks and end up winning this game by a score of around 6-3 as I have it
JEFF SCOTT
NY Rangers/ NY Isles UNDER 5: The UNDER is 7-2-1 in the last 5 10 meeting between these 2 teams, with an average of 4.3 gpg be scored in those 10 games. The Rangers last 5 games overall have averaged just 4.2 gpg, while the Isles last 8 games have averaged just 4.4 gpg. The Under is 9-2-1 in Rangers last 12 overall, while the Under is 27-11-2 in Islanders last 40 games playing on 1 days rest. Neither team can score right now and that will make for another low scoring game in this series.
Minnesota/ Los Angeles UNDER 10: The Under is 18-8-1 in Twins last 27 home games vs. a right-handed starter and 37-18-3 in Twins last 58 during game 3 of a series, while the Under 6-1-1 in Angels last 7 on field turf. The Twins are really struggling offensively right now, as they have scored just 4 runs in their first 3 games, while the Angels had a good offensive showing in the 2 games but in the 1st and 3rd games thay scored just 3 combined runs. With neither team hitting right now, I'll take a play on the Under.
DELANEY
30* OHIO STATE
John Ryan
Game: Arizona Diamondbacks at Cincinnati Reds
Prediction: Arizona Diamondbacks
Reason: Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Arizona. Supporting this graded play is a system that has produced a record of 49-25 and has made 29.9 units since 1997. Play against home teams with a money line of -100 to -150 in the first 12 games of the season and after closing out last season poorly with 11+ losses in last 15 games. This system is 2-0 and has made 2.4 units already this season. Davis is 6-2 when starting against the Reds with an ERA of 3.40 and a WHIP of 1.219. His team's record is 10-4 (+6.4 units) in these starts. Davis is also strong on Thursday starts posting an 8-3 mark making 6.6 units over the past 3 seasons. Take Arizona.
LARRY NESS
Cubs
REASON FOR PICK: The Brewers got off to a fast start last year and despite posting their first above .500 season since 1992 (83-79), Milwaukee was not able to hold off the Cubs, who won the Central Division with a record of 85-77. However, the Brewers have opened the 2008 season by taking the first two games of a three-game set at Wrigley, 4-3 in 10 innings (Mon) and 8-2 (Weds). In this "getaway day" game on Thursday afternoon, Milwaukee sends Dave Bush to the mound, while the Cubs counter with Ryan Dempster. Dempster was a starter in the early part of his career, mostly for the Marlins. In fact, in 2000 and 20001, he went 29-22 (4.28) with the Marlins going 39-28 in his starts. However, over the last four seasons, just six of his 226 appearances have been in relief, including all 140 appearances the last two seasons (he has 85 saves the last three years for the Cubs). A look of the record books shows that manager Lou Piniella has done his homework in choosing the Brewers as Dempster's first opponent. Dempster has a 2.46 ERA in 30 career appearances (eight starts) against Milwaukee, which represents his lowest ERA against any NL team. Can he go from the team's closer to its "stopper," preventing a Milwaukee sweep in this one? I'm betting he can. Milwaukee owned MLB's second-best home/away differential last year when it came to the moneyline. The Brewers were 51-30 (plus-$1,129) at home but 32-49 and a ML-worst minus-$1,636 on the road. That's a differential of $2,765, second to only the Mets' mark of $3,546! That wasn't exactly news. Milwaukee went 48-33 (plus-$821) at home in 2006, while going 27-54 (minus-$2,182) on the road. That was a differential of $3,003, again the second-biggest in MLB that year (the Pirates had a differential of $3,012). Enter Milwaukee's starting pitcher on Thursday, Dave Bush. Bush went 12-11 (4.41) in 2006 and then 12-10 (5.12) last year. Milwaukee was 16-16 in his 32 starts in '06 plus 14-17 in his 31 starts LY. Now let's break it down home and away. The Brewers were 12-3 in Bush's home starts during '06 (3.23 ERA) but 4-13 in his road starts (5.38 ERA). In '07, the splits were 8-7 at home (4.39 ERA) and 6-10 (6.14 ERA) on the road. That's two-year mark of 20-10 at home and 10-23 on the road. That's good enough for me! Getaway Day Game of the Week on the Chi Cubs (6*).
Padres
REASON FOR PICK: Here's exactly how I opened my write-up yesterday. Bagwell and Biggio retired, Adam Everett was released, Ausmus is now the back-up catcher plus Ensberg, Lane and Taveras were traded. That leaves only Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman returning from Houston's opening-day starters of a year ago. Considering the Astros went 73-89 last year, including 31-50 (minus-$1,440) on the road, that could be good news. However, the "new look" Astros have opened the season with 4-0 and 2-1 losses at San Diego. That's just ONE run and only 10 hits in their first two games, after the team finished 13th in the NL in runs scored (723) and 12th in batting average (.260) in '07. Maybe it's not so much of a new-look, after all? I had the Padres over the Astros as part of my first Superstar Triple Play of '08. I won with the Orioles and Braves (which was good enough for a winning report) but lost with San Diego when the Astros, trailing by a run with two outs and nobody on base in the 9th, rallied to score four runs off Trevor Hoffman (remember that Oct 1 wild card playoff game with the Rockies last year?). So after scoring one run (on a bases loaded walk) with just 10 hits in the first two games vs the Padres, the Astros pounded out 11 hits, including four home runs, yesterday! Randy Wolf goes for San Diego, making his first start as a Padre. The lefty enters his 10th MLB season but hasn't made more than 23 starts in a season since going 16-10 for the Phillies in 2003 (33 starts). He made 18 starts for Dodgers in '07 before shoulder surgery ended his season in July. That being said, over the last six seasons (five with Phiily and one with LA), his teams are 78-52 in his 130 starts, which is pretty good. Shawn Chacon goes for the Astros. He's a seven-year vet who spent last year with the Pirates, making 64 appearances (5-4, 3.94) but only four starts. He was a regular starter for the Rockies from 2001-03, going 22-29 (5.10), with Colorado going 31-40 in his starts, including a pathetic 11-25 on the road. He' spent the last fours years in and out of the starting rotation and bullpen, posting a 21-29 mark with a 4.86 ERA. The Padres are not a great hitting team but Chacon should be "right up their alley." As for Wolf vs the Astros, I'm betting that those Houston bats are mostly 'tired' after last night's outburst of 11 hits (four HRs). It's a quick turnaround from last night's game for both and the short rest also favors the home side. Las Vegas Insider on the SD Padres (8*).
Cavs
REASON FOR PICK: The Cavs have already clinched a playoff spot and have just about clinched the No. 4 seed, while the Bulls are desperately fighting for their playoff lives. Cleveland's 'King,' LeBron James (30.3-8.0-7.3) is in somewhat of a funk, averaging only 22.3 PPG over his last four games mbut does that mean the Cavs are "ripe for the taking?" I think not. First of all, the Bulls have brought out the best in LeBron, as he's averaged 33.5 PPG in 10 games vs the Bulls since the beginning of the 2005-06 season. Meanwhile, it's hard to make a real case that the Bulls are even trying any more. Chicago closed to with two games of the East's final playoff spot back on Mar 18 but enter this game 5 1/2-games behind the Hawks, who currently hold the eighth spot, with the both Nets and Pacers also in between Chicago and Atlanta. It's not a very bright outlook. Consider these numbers. Chicago ranks 18th in the league in PPG (97.0) plus dead-last (30 of 30 teams!) in FG percentage. The Bulls enter this game having lost 10 of their last 11 road games, including six straight since winning at Indiana (which played without O'Neal and Tinsley) on Feb 27. In those six losses, Chicago's averaged 97.8 PPG (right at its average) but allowed an average of 110.3 PPG! The Cavs have won 10 of their last 11 home games but have gone just 6-5 ATS during that time. However, considering that they have beaten the Bulls in 12 of their last 15 visits to Cleveland and that Chicago has been outscored by an average of 12.5 PPG in its last six road games, laying the reasonable pointspread seems, well, REASONABLE! TV Game of the Week on the Cle Cavs (6*).
Ohio St
REASON FOR PICK: U Mass has had an excellent season, considering the huge losses Travis Ford's team suffered from last year's team. Inside, Freeman (14.7-8.3) and Lasme (13.5-9.5) were the A-10's best forward tandem last season, while 6-5 guard Life (11.5) was also a quality player. The 6-8 Brower (12.5-6.7) and the 6-9 Milligan (8.9-5.3) have played well this year but they are NOT Freeman and Lasme. The key to this year's team has been its perimeter play, led by 6-7 swingman Forbes (19.5-7.6-3.0). The starting guard duo consists of PG Lowe (11.9-6.2 APG) and sophomore Harris, who upped his average from 4.5 PPG as a freshman to 18.0 PPG this year. U Mass enters this game 25-10 after its miracle comeback win at Syracuse on Mar 25 and it's 78-66 win over Florida Tuesday night. The Minutemen had won earlier TY in Syracuse 107-100, so they expected the Orangemen to come at them hard. That's exactly what happened, as Syracuse led 43-24 at the half. Syracuse still led by 17 with eight minutes to go but COLLAPSED, as U Mass came back to win, 81-77. Against Florida (two-time defending NCAA champs), U Mass fell behind 36-27 at the half but it could have been worse, as the Minutemen were just 1-of-13 from beyond the arc and at one point went more than 12 minutes without a field goal. The 6-9 Dante Milligan was the catalyst with 17 points, 12 rebounds and several blocks late. The 6-7 Forbes scored 19 points while guards Chris Lowe and Ricky Harris added 16 each. The starters scored all but two points for the Minutemen and I just don't see them matching up with the Buckeyes here. As they've done all year, senior PG Butler (14.9-3.0-5.9) and 7-0 freshman center Koufus (14.2-6.6) have led the way for Ohio State in the NIT. Butler's averaged 15.0 PPG and 5.8 APG and Koufus 17.3 PPg and 5.5 RPG in OSU's four NIT wins. By the way, OSU has won each game by more than double digits, with the average margin of victory coming 14.5 PPG. Joining Butler and Koufus are three vets in the frontcourt and two 6-6 freshman. The 6-8 Hunter (9.7-6.4) and 6-5 swingman Lighty (9.0-3.6-2.4) have started all year and the 6-9 Terwilliger (3.3-2.6) is just one of those players, "every team wants." Then there are freshman Turner (8.1-4.4), who has scored 28 points in OSU's last two NIT games, and Diebler (6.0). Thad Matta's tem is playing excellent defense, allowing its four NIT opponents to average just 63.5 PPG. After allowing NC-Asheville to shot 51.9 percent from the floor (but score just 66 points) in their first game, the Buckeyes have held Cal, Dayton and Ole Miss to make just 40.7 percent of their FG attempts these last three games. Ohio State couldn't beat Florida in LY's NCAA final but like it did against Ole Miss in the semis (led by 27points at one time!), Ohio State will win (and COVER) here vs U Mass, giving the school its second NIT title (won in '86). NIT Game of the Year on Ohio State (9*).
PHILLY CONNECTION
Portland/Houston Under 183
Tom Freese
Game: Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers
Prediction: Houston Rockets
Reason: Houston is 10-2 ATS their last 12 games as favorites of 10.5 or less points and they are 16-5-1 their last 21 games as favorites of any kind. The Rockets are 22-8-1 ATS on Thursday and they are 13-5-1 ATS with one day of rest. Portland is 6-14 ATS their last 20 games vs. winning teams and they are 4-11 ATS off a double digit loss. The Trailblazers are 2-7 ATS as underdogs of 10.5 or less points and they are 3-13 ATS their last 16 home games. PLAY ON HOUSTON